How do I update my phone software?

We periodically release Windows Phone software updates to add new features you've asked for and to maximise your phone's performance. When a software update is available for you to download, we'll notify you on your phone.

To learn what's included in each update and determine which version of Windows Phone you have now, see Phone updates FAQ.

Make some room on your phone for the update. If necessary, remove a few unwanted apps or other large items.

To see how much space you have on your phone, on Start, flick left to the App list, tap Settings > About and look at the number to the right of Available storage. For more info, see Making room on your phone to update it.

Clear some space on your computer.

We'll need some room to download the software update, to save a backup of your existing phone software and settings and possibly to sync media files from your phone to your computer. For more info, see Making room on your computer for phone updates.

Make sure your computer has a reliable Internet connection.

In some cases, you may need to switch from a wireless (WiFi) connection to a wired (Ethernet) connection. Or you may need to adjust your computer's firewall or proxy settings. For more info, see the Network connection problems in Windows tutorial.

How to install an update

When an update is available, we'll notify you on your phone. After you see the notification, pick a convenient time to install the update on your phone. The process can take up to an hour.

If you miss the notification or don't have time to install the update, we'll remind you again in a few days.

Connect your phone to your primary computer – the first one you connected your phone to – using the USB cable that came with your phone.

If you're using a different computer than you normally use, please see some important information in the Notes below.

If the Zune software doesn't start automatically when you connect your phone, start it manually.

We might ask you to update the Zune software. If we do, just follow the on-screen instructions. Then restart the sync software.

In the Zune software, click Update Now.

Make sure you keep your phone connected to your computer until you see a notification that the update is complete.

Notes

When you connect your phone to a PC for the first time, the Zune software will automatically create a primary sync relationship between your phone and that computer. Other computers you connect to after that will have a guest sync relationship with your phone. Your primary computer remembers your linked phone and all of its settings and history, so it's the only computer that will create a backup of your phone during the update process. That's why we recommend that you only use your primary computer to update your phone software. If you need to use a different computer, see Synchronising your phone to another computer.

To see if an update is available for your phone, on Start, flick left to the Application list, press Settings , then press Phone update.

By default, your phone uses your mobile data connection to check for updates and notifies you when an update is found. To change the type of connection for future updates, do this: on Start, flick left to the App list, tap Settings , then tap Phone update.

Although we notify you "over the air" (via your phone's data connection) when an update is available to download, we don't deliver the actual software update in this way. You must connect your phone to your computer to download and install available updates.

When you install an update, all of your settings, apps and media files are preserved.